San Rafael, CA – An El Sobrante man has been identified in a series of crimes where the suspect drove two day laborers from San Rafael to a remote location and robbed them at gunpoint.  Edward Joseph Martinez, 37, was arrested in Orinda for a traffic warrant. He will face extradition to San Rafael where he will be held on two counts of armed robbery.

On February 22, 2023, two people seeking work in the area of Bellam Boulevard and Andersen Drive in San Rafael had been robbed at gunpoint by a suspect, later identified as Martinez, who they believed was hiring them to do work.  

Martinez instead drove the victims to a remote neighborhood in San Rafael, held them at gunpoint, and robbed them of their belongings.  The victims were ordered out of the car, and Martinez drove away.  The victims were visibly upset from what just happened and disoriented about where they had been taken.  They began walking when two community members saw their distress and helped them by driving them back to the area of Bellam Boulevard and Andersen Drive. 

The following day, on February 23, the victims reported the crime to the SRPD.  Officers conducted an in-depth interview, including obtaining the path of travel Martinez drove with the victims.  Based on that information, detectives obtained video footage of Martinez’s vehicle, which led to obtaining a license plate, and then to the identification of Martinez. 

SRPD Detectives contacted and distributed the information in this case to neighboring agencies, which included the Richmond Police, Lafayette Police, and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office.  These agencies provided valuable information regarding Martinez and associated addresses.

On March 4, Richmond Police notified detectives that they had two additional robberies of day laborers where it appeared Martinez was the suspect.  San Rafael and Richmond detectives worked together to build their respective cases.  

On March 7, Martinez was pulled over for a traffic violation by Orinda Police.  He was arrested and booked on an unrelated traffic warrant, and Martinez’s vehicle, used in San Rafael’s and Richmond’s robberies, was impounded for evidence.  A search warrant was served on Martinez’s vehicle, and a loaded handgun was recovered.  

Based on the dedicated work of the San Rafael Police and the Richmond Police, Martinez was held in custody on the additional charges of the four-armed robbery cases.